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LED Fireworks
by vahid_you2004 on September 6, 2010 Table of Contents LED Fireworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intro: LED Fireworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 1: Things You Need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 2: LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 3: The Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 4: Soldering Components Together . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 5: Making a PCB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 6: The Motor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 7: LEDs Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 7 7 7 9

Step 8: Attaching Circuit and Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Step 9: Final Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Step 10: Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Step 11: Fire! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/

Author:vahid_you2004 Visit dihav.com

I'm a mechanical engineer, and I like computer programming, mechanics, electronics and specially the robotics.

Intro: LED Fireworks

Nowadays technology changed everything. Things that have been made many years ago are now appearing in a new form with new and modern parts. So I decided to simulate fireworks with LEDs and made a machine that makes LED fireworks. It works simple, there are a lot of LEDs that everyone is connected to a capacitor with a resistor, the machine charges the capacitors and a timer drives a motor that strews them around.

Step 1: Things You Need

To make your own LED fireworks machine you need the following things and tools: Some colorful LEDs Some 1K resistors Some 470uF capacitors (or higher) Two plastic disks Some screws with bolts A long narrow plastic strip 1x 1N4007 Diode 1x 1N4148 Diode 2x 100nF ceramic capacitor 1x TIP122 transistor 1x 50K potentiometer 1x 33K resistor 1x 100K resistor 1x 100uF electrolyte capacitor 1x 3.3uF electrolyte capacitor 1x BC547 transistor 1x 555 IC + socket 1x Simple push button 1x Small motor 1x 9V battery + connector Some wire Foil Drill Screw drivers

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/

Soldering iron Soldering oil Soldering wire Glue Pliers Wire cutter A bubble bag Things to make a PCB (if you want to have a circuit board)

Step 2: LEDs
Just solder each LED to a 470uF capacitor with a 1K resistor among them.

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/

Step 3: The Circuit

There are two timers, one for a short delay before starting the motor and strewing LEDs (about 0.5-3.5 seconds) and one for stopping the motor after a while (about 5 seconds). The first delay can be changed with a 50K potentiometer. You can make this circuit by soldering components together (step 4) or by making a PCB (step 5).

File Downloads

LED Fireworks.DSN (45 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'LED Fireworks.DSN']

Step 4: Soldering Components Together

The best way to make circuit by this method is to follow the circuit diagram. The images may be confusing. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Solder pins 2 and 4 of IC socket together. Solder pins 6 and 7 of IC socket together. Solder the 33K resistor among pins 7 and 8 of IC socket. Solder the 100K resistor among pins 4 and 8 of IC socket. Solder the 100uF electrolyte capacitor among pins 1 (-) and 6 of IC socket. Solder the BC547 transistor among pins 1 (E) and 2 (C) of IC socket. Solder the TIP122 transistor among pins 3 (B) and 8 (C) of IC socket. Solder the 100nF ceramic capacitor among pins 1 and 5 of IC socket. Solder the 3.3uF electrolyte capacitor negative pole to pin 1 of IC socket. Solder one of the side legs of 50K potentiometer to 3.3uF electrolyte capacitor positive pole. Solder the middle leg of 50K potentiometer to BC547 transistor base pin (B). Solder the push button among pin 8 of IC socket and 3.3uF electrolyte capacitor positive pole with two wires. Solder the power supply to the pins 1 (-) and 8 (+) of IC socket. Solder a wire to TIP122 transistor emitter pin (E) as the motor positive pole.

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/

Step 5: Making a PCB

Here is a good instructable that will guide you to make a PCB. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Print the board images on an A6 glossy paper with a laser printer without scaling. Cut a piece of copper board in the size of printed board images. Clear the copper side of the board from oxides with sandpaper. Put the both sides of printed circuit on the board and fix them with paper tape. Put the board between some pieces of paper and press the hot iron (without steam) on it for a while. (BE CAREFUL: The hot iron may lead to firing of papers) Remove the printed circuit of the board. Soak board in a bowl of circuit board acid and wait till all the visible copper disappears. (BE CAREFUL: You are working with acid) Wash the board and clear it with sandpaper. Make holes with 1mm drill. Solder components on the board.

Here is the list of board components: R1 = 33K Resistor R2 = 100K Resistor P = 50K Potentiometer C1 = 3.3uF Electrolyte Capacitor C2 = 100uF Electrolyte Capacitor C3 = 100nF Ceramic Capacitor U = 555 IC Q1 = BC547 Transistor Q2 = TIP122 Transistor BTN = Simple Push Button MOTOR = Small Motor

File Downloads

LED Fireworks A6.pdf ((298x420) 54 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'LED Fireworks A6.pdf']

LED Fireworks.LYT (13 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'LED Fireworks.LYT']

LED Fireworks Top.wmf (18 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'LED Fireworks Top.wmf']

LED Fireworks Bottom.wmf (12 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'LED Fireworks Bottom.wmf']

Step 6: The Motor

Attach a piece of plastic pipe (I cut it from a pen) to the end of the motor to avoid pressure on the motor shaft. You need two strips of plastic approximately 9cm long to hold the motor, battery and circuit. Attach and fasten the motor to the plastic strips with glue and some wire. Solder the negative power supply to the one of the motor terminals, solder the positive power supply to the motor body and solder the wire coming from the TIP122 transistor emitter pin to the motor other terminal. At last solder a 100nF ceramic capacitor and a 1N4148 diode among motor terminals to remove noise and back EMF. (The anode of the diode must be connected to the negative power supply.)

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/

Step 7: LEDs Disk

Cut to circles from the foil to cover the plastic disk. The foils must not have an electrical contact so I made large hole around screws on one of the circles. Place a wire into center hole of one disk and cover it with a foil circle, place the other plastic disk on them put some glue on the disk and cover it with other foil circle. Then screw the disks together, the screws must be too loose to be able to place one leg of LEDs among the disks easily and too tight to LEDs be able to get stuck to the disk. At last use glue to fasten loose nuts.

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/

Step 8: Attaching Circuit and Battery

Attach the circuit to the other side of plastic strips with a screw and nuts. Place the battery between motor and circuit and fasten it with tape if required.

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/

Step 9: Final Assembly

Attach the plastic disks to the motor, note that the wire coming from the center of disks must be connected to the motor shaft. Solder a 1N4007 diode kathode pin to the negative power supply and solder its anode to a wire that is in touch with the outer foil circle. Roll the bubble bag around motor, battery and circuit to avoid impacts.

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/

Step 10: Safety

The strewn LEDs may strike to your eyes, so put on safety glasses. The thrown machine may strike to you head or breakable objects, so be careful where you throw the machine.

Step 11: Fire!

Adjust the potentiometer to start the motor on the air; it depends on how far you throw the machine. Put the positive leg of LEDs among plastic disks in contact with inner foil circle and put the negative leg in contact with outer foil circle. Press the push button and threw the machine to the air.

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/

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.50 CAL Ammo Box Firework Controller Build (Photos) by Rob K

Detonator box Ignition Fireworks Pyro box electronic igniter by larsjet

Photographing Fireworks (video) by mhkabir

Fireworks Controller by systemf92

Easy Firework Photography by jssteinke

Comments
13 comments Add Comment

sibuadvancetech says:
cool stuff!! thank you!!

Oct 30, 2010. 8:30 PM REPLY

Shanjaq says:
Maybe encase the cap/led/resistor modules in hot-glue to make them more durable and less of a danger to eyeballs =D

Oct 12, 2010. 2:01 AM REPLY

jtmjr says:
i could have used this under my tables I really like the looks of this wish i had seen it before our reception you got my vote :) keep me in mind when voting i built the 3 tier fruit wedding cake

Sep 27, 2010. 7:41 PM REPLY

cowscankill says:
Very cool! Would look like fireworks in the dark. One question: what is that song in the video? :D

Sep 9, 2010. 5:32 PM REPLY

br_amar says:
That song is from a bollywood movie called "DHOOM" Here is the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uIz1DFNJnY

Sep 25, 2010. 7:28 AM REPLY

vahid_you2004 says:
Thank you. I don't know; i found this song in a rigntone pack; the file name is Dhoom.mp3

Sep 10, 2010. 4:26 AM REPLY

agis68 says:

Sep 19, 2010. 4:31 AM REPLY Very nice job and well presented. The white disks are handmade right? from what material? (I know are made from plastic) but i mean what plastic??? please give me a response maybe you find me a solution in a big problem with my old scanner!!! You will be my hero you know!

vahid_you2004 says:

Sep 20, 2010. 4:33 AM REPLY I don't khow, the plastic disks was parts of a toy wheel, and the white disk is a thin layer of foil attached with glue to the disk.

WeaponMaker96 says:
Sorry, wrong contest ;D

Sep 11, 2010. 6:32 PM REPLY

sc7923a says:

Sep 13, 2010. 6:00 AM REPLY I assume you're referring to your post in the wedding DIY contest, and I disagree! I've always wanted fireworks at my wedding but they didn't fit in the budget - now they do! :)

agis68 says:
I Had fireworks and accidentaly burned my best man 's hair!!!!!!!!

Sep 19, 2010. 4:24 AM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/

vahid_you2004 says:
By this machine you have fireworks but you won't burn anyone!

Sep 20, 2010. 4:30 AM REPLY

Electronics Blurred says:

Sep 9, 2010. 11:40 AM REPLY It's beautiful , thanks . But i would have used a copper wrapping around the led's , or you could flip the led's to north direction and lay diffrent poles of copper wrapping , the copper is attached the output and input ;) I didn't say you should have , i only said that i would . Peace .

http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Fireworks/